Multi-mode hybrid ARQ scheme

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for performing H-ARQ transmission is described herein. Bits received on a first transmission are stored and combined with the bits received on later transmissions thereby increasing the likelihood of a correct decoding on later transmissions. Additionally, a plurality of coding schemes (e.g., Convolutional Codes, Block Turbo Codes, Convolutional Turbo Codes, Low Density Party Check Codes, . . . , etc.) are utilized, with an information element being reserved to signal what form of H-ARQ is being utilized.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/989,177 Nov. 15, 2004 titled “Multi-Mode Hybrid ARQ Schem”.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to systems that employ hybridARQ schemes and in particular, to a multi-mode hybrid ARQ scheme.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Digital data transmissions over wired and wireless links sometimes maybe corrupted, for instance, by noise in the link or channel, byinterference from other transmissions, or by other environmentalfactors. Even with clear communication channels, which lend themselvesto high data rates, it may not be possible to appropriately decode thedata stream with the requisite error rates. In order to solve thisproblem, many current communication systems employ an automatic repeatrequest (ARQ) scheme for retransmission. In such systems an opportunityexists for requesting that data be retransmitted upon detection of anerror. In more complex systems a hybrid ARQ scheme is employed.

In systems employing a hybrid ARQ (H-ARQ) scheme, a receiver combinespreviously received erroneous transmissions of a packet of informationwith a newly received transmission in an effort to successfullyascertain the true contents of the packet. In other words, coded bitsreceived on a first erroneous transmission are stored and combined withthe coded bits received on later transmissions thereby increasing thelikelihood of a correct decoding on later transmissions. Similarly thecoded bits received on the second or later transmissions are stored forcombining with subsequent received bits.

As one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, the form of H-ARQutilized by any communication system is directly dependent upon the typeof coding mode utilized. For example, a system employing multiple typesof forward error correction (FEC) modes, like Convolutional Codes (CC),Block Turbo Codes (BTC), Convolutional Turbo Codes (CTC) and Low DensityParty Check Codes (LDPC), must identify which FEC mode is being utilizedin conjunction with the H-ARQ. Moreover, many parameters like theinformation block size, resource allocation size and incrementalredundancy version will be dependent on the FEC mode. Withnext-generation communication systems employing multiple coding modes,it is impossible to utilize a single H-ARQ signaling scheme and coverall available FEC modes. Therefore a need exists for a method andapparatus to a multi-mode hybrid ARQ within a communication systememploying several coding modes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system in accordance withthe preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a switch-mode IE message.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a transmitter.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing operation of the transmitter of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a receiver.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing operation of the receiver of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing operation of the receiver of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing operation of the transmitter of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To address the above-mentioned need a method and apparatus forperforming H-ARQ transmission is described herein. Bits received on afirst transmission are stored and combined with the bits received onlater transmissions thereby increasing the likelihood of a correctdecoding on later transmissions. Additionally, a plurality of codingschemes (e.g., Convolutional Codes, Block Turbo Codes, ConvolutionalTurbo Codes, Low Density Party Check Codes, . . . , etc.) are utilized,with an information element being reserved to signal what form of H-ARQis being utilized.

The present invention encompasses a method for transmitting controlinformation. The method comprises the steps of determining an encodingtype, and transmitting control information within a Sub-packetIdentifier (SPID) field, an encoder packet size (Nep) field, and anumber of sub channels (Nsch) field, wherein the information transmittedwithin these fields is based on the encoding type.

The present invention additionally encompasses a method comprising thesteps of determining an encoding type, receiving a message comprising aplurality of fields, and utilizing the plurality of fields for firstinformation when a first type of encoding is specified and utilizing theplurality of fields for second information when a second encoding typeis specified.

The present invention additionally encompasses an apparatus comprisinglogic circuitry determining an encoding type, and a transmittertransmitting information within a Sub-packet Identifier (SPID) field, anencoder packet size (Nep) field, and a number of sub channels (Nsch)field, wherein a type of information transmitted within the fields isbased on the encoding type.

The present invention additionally encompasses an apparatus comprising areceiver receiving an over-the-air message comprising a plurality offields, and logic circuitry determining an encoding type and utilizingthe plurality of fields for first information when a first type ofencoding is specified and utilizing the plurality of fields for secondinformation when a second encoding type is specified.

Turning now to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate likecomponents, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of communication system 100 inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Inthe preferred embodiment of the present invention, communication system100 utilizes an IEEE 802.16 communication system protocol, but inalternate embodiments communication system 100 may utilize othercommunication system protocols such as, but not limited to, the WirelessLAN standards such as 802.11b, the next generation Global System forMobile Communications (GSM) protocol, a next generation CDMAarchitecture as described in the cdma2000 InternationalTelecommunication Union-Radio communication (ITU-R) Radio TransmissionTechnology (RTT) Candidate Submission document, or the CDMA systemprotocol as described in “Personal Station-Base Station CompatibilityRequirements for 1.8 to 2.0 GHz Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)Personal Communication Systems” (American National Standards Institute(ANSI) J-STD-008).

Communication system 100 includes at least one Base Station (BS) 101,and multiple subscriber stations (SSs) 113–115. Although not shown,communication system 100 additionally includes well known networkelements such as Gatekeepers (GKs) and GateWays (GWs). It iscontemplated that network elements within communication system 100 areconfigured in well known manners with processors, memories, instructionsets, and the like, which function in any suitable manner to perform thefunction set forth herein.

As shown, subscriber stations 113–115 are communicating with BS 101 viauplink communication signals 103–105, respectively, while BS 101 iscommunicating with subscriber stations 113–115 via downlinkcommunication signals 123–125, respectively. As discussed above, digitaldata transmissions over wired and wireless links sometimes may becorrupted, for instance, by noise in the link or channel, byinterference from other transmissions, or by other environmentalfactors. In order to help correct corrupted transmissions, communicationsystem 100 may employ a plurality of FEC coding modes and H-ARQretransmission schemes, one H-ARQ retransmission scheme for each codingscheme utilized. In other words, bits received on a first transmissionare stored and combined with the bits received on later transmissionsthereby increasing the likelihood of a correct decoding on latertransmissions. Similarly the bits received on the second or latertransmissions are stored for combining with subsequent received bits.

Communication system 100 supports two main variants of H-ARQ,particularly, generic Chase Combining or Incremental Redundancy (IR).The H-ARQ variants may be applied to a variety of different ForwardError Correction (FEC) modes such as Convolutional Codes (CC), BlockTurbo Codes (BTC), Convolutional Turbo Codes (CTC) and Low DensityParity Check Codes (LDPC). However, in alternate embodiments of thepresent invention, other forms of FEC schemes may be utilized.

For IR, the PHY layer will generate two or more different versions ofencoded blocks for a particular information block. In some cases, theencoded blocks may be referred to as sub-packets. Each version ofencoded block must be identified either implicitly or explicitly in theH-ARQ signaling scheme. For example, a sub-packet may be uniquelyidentified using a sub-packet identifier (SPID). For Chase combining,the PHY layer will encode the H-ARQ packet generating only one versionof the encoded packet. As a result, no SPID is required for Chasecombining.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, system 100identifies the specific H-ARQ scheme utilized by the transmitter(whether subscriber stations 113–115 or base station 101) based on atype of encoding. Since the 802.16 system protocol defines InformationElements (IEs) to inform the subscriber stations of necessary systeminformation, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention an IEis provided (Switch-Mode IE) that informs subscriber stations 113–115 ofthe form of H-ARQ utilized by base station 101. This is illustrated inFIG. 2.

FIG. 2 along with table 1 illustrates an IEEE 802.16 switch-modeinformation element (IE) containing the H-ARQ mode.

TABLE 1 Switch-Mode IE Syntax Size Notes Compact_DL-MAP_IE ( ) { DL-MAPType = 7 3 bits DL-MAP sub-type 5 bits Extension sub type Length 4 bitsLength of the IE in Bytes H-ARQ mode 4 bits Sub-type dependent payload

As shown, Switch-Mode IE message 200 comprises DL-MAP Type 201, DL-MAPSub-Type 202, Length 203, and H-ARQ Mode 204. The fields of theSwitch-Mode IE message 200 are defined as follows:

DL-MAP Type: This value specifies the type of the compact DL-MAP IE. Avalue of 7 indicates the extension type. In 802.16, DL-MAP type equal 7identifies this message as being a part of the extended DL-MAP messageformat. The extended format allows 32 IE types to be added to theprotocol beyond the 8 IE types defined in the basic DL-MAP format. Inthe extended DL-MAP message format, the DL-MAP type is always followedby a 5-bit DL-MAP sub-type field identify which of the 32 extendedformats is contained within this message.

DL-MAP Sub-Type: This value specifies the extended map type as H-ARQmode switch.

Length: This indicates the length of this IE in Bytes. The length fieldallows legacy subscribers to skip over IEs that they do not understandin the list of IEs contained in a DL-MAP message. The H-ARQ switch-modeis encoded as 2 since the contents of the message is exactly 2 bytes.

H-ARQ mode: This is a 4-bit value specifies the H-ARQ mode for allsubsequent Compact DL-MAP IEs to the end of the current H-ARQ map. Inmany byte oriented protocols such as employed by the 802.16 DL-MAPmessage all IEs must be an integer multiple of bytes. Therefore a 4-bitvalue is used to achieve an exact length of two bytes given the requiredDL-MAP type of 3 bits, DL-MAP sub-type of 5 bits and length field 4bits. Smaller or larger fields could be substituted for other protocolsprovided that an adequate number of code points are available to signalthe types of FEC modes. The H-ARQ mode being utilized is determined bythe FEC coding modes and H-ARQ retransmission schemes the receiversupports. For example, generic Chase may be used in conjunction with theCC, CTC, BTC, or LDPC coding modes.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of transmitter 300 in accordance with thepreferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, transmitter 300comprises buffer 301, encoder 302, packet/IE generator 303, transceiver304, and logic unit 305. Buffer 301 comprises a storage means such asrandom-access memory for storage of data that is to be transmitted to areceiver. Encoder 302 is capable of encoding the buffered data via oneof several encoding schemes (e.g., CC, BTC, LDPC, CTC or CTC IRsub-packets). H-ARQ operates at the FEC block level. Encoder 302 isresponsible for generating the H-ARQ packets or for IR the sub-packets,as defined in the relevant section of the IEEE 802.16 system protocol.The packets or sub-packets are combined by a receiver FEC decoder aspart of the decoding process. Packet/IE generator comprises circuitrythat constructs data packets or IEs to be transmitted to the receiver.Finally, logic circuitry 305 comprises a microprocessor controller suchas a Freescale PowerPC microprocessor, available from Freescale, Inc.Among other things, logic unit 305 analyzes the current encoding schemeand determines DL-MAP Type, DL-MAP Sub-Type, Length, and H-ARQ modebased on the type of encoding being used by the encoder. The values forDL-MAP Type, DL-MAP Sub-Type, Length, and H-ARQ mode are provided topacket/IE generator 303 for construction of Switch-Mode IE message 200.The H-ARQ mode being utilized is based on the type of encoding.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing operation of transmitter 300.Particularly, FIG. 4 shows those steps necessary to identify the H-ARQscheme being utilized by the transmitter. The logic flow begins at step401 where logic unit 305 determines DL-MAP Type, DL-MAP Sub-Type,Length, and H-ARQ mode. As discussed above, H-ARQ mode is determined viaanalyzing encoder 302 to determine the encoding scheme (generic Chasecombining or Incremental Redundancy) being utilized. If CTC IR is beingutilized, then the 4-bit H-ARQ mode field is set to zero, and if Chasecombining is being utilized, then the 4-bit H-ARQ mode field is set toone (step 403). Other H-ARQ codes may be supported by adding additionalcode points. This is illustrated in Table 2.

TABLE 2 HARQ-mode field values H-ARQ Mode Description 0 CTC IncrementalRedundancy 1 Generic Chase 2 . . . 15 Reserved

At step 405 the values of DL-MAP Type, DL-MAP Sub-Type, Length, andH-ARQ mode are sent to IE generator 303 where Switch-mode IE message 200is generated. At step 407 Switch-mode IE message 200 is transmitted to areceiver and at step 409H-ARQ takes place utilizing the H-ARQ mode. Inthe preferred embodiment of the present invention the IE messagecomprises an IEEE 802.16 switch-mode IE containing the H-ARQ mode.Communication then takes place with the receiver by sending and/orreceiving H-ARQ packets using the H-ARQ mode.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of receiver (SS) 500. As shown, SS 500comprises transmitter/receiver combination (transceiver) 501, decoder503, and logic circuitry 505. Transceiver 501 comprises a standard IEEE802.16 transmitter and receiver, while decoder 503 preferably comprisesa LDPC decoder. Logic circuitry 505 is preferably a microprocessorcontroller such as a PowerPC, available from Freescale, Inc. Receiver501 will receive an over-the-air message comprising the H-ARQ mode, withdecoder 503 performing a type of H-ARQ based on the message. Thus,decoder 503 will attempt to decode the received packet on a first H-ARQattempt. If the decoding succeeds, SS 500 will send an ACK to thetransmitter via transceiver 501. If the decoding fails, SS 500 will senda NAK to the BS. In response, the transmitter will send another H-ARQattempt. The transmitter may continue to send H-ARQ attempts until SS500 successfully decodes the packet and sends an acknowledgement. Asdiscussed above, in order for H-ARQ to be successfully employed, theH-ARQ mode must be known by receiver 500. With this in mind, FIG. 6 is aflow chart showing the steps necessary for receiver 500 to successfullyperform H-ARQ.

The logic flow begins at step 601 where Switch-mode IE message 200 isreceived over the air by transceiver 501. At step 603 the 4-bit H-ARQmode field is determined from Switch-mode IE message 200 and theencoding mode (i.e., H-ARQ mode) is determined by logic unit 505. TheH-ARQ mode is provided to decoder 503 at step 605, where decoding ofincoming packets takes place. In particular, a first H-ARQ mode isutilized when IR coding takes place, while a second H-ARQ mode isutilized when Chase combining takes place. Thus, H-ARQ is performed,with the type of H-ARQ being based on the received switch-mode IEmessage.

It should be noted that the IEEE 802.16 Sub-packet Identifier (SPID),encoder packet size (Nep) and the number of sub channels (Nsch) found inthe H-ARQ MAP IE will need to be redefined when using Chase combining.More particularly, the SPID is unique to incremental redundancy H-ARQmodes to identify the particular sub-packet having a unique redundancypattern. H-ARQ modes based on Chase combining do not have uniquesub-packets and therefore do not require a sub-packet identifier. TheNep and Nsch together are control information that define a quantizedset of information block size and resource allocation pairs for the CTCIR mode. This pairing implicitly defines the number of information bitsper symbol and with a suitable constraint can implicitly map to themodulation and coding rate. Although, these Nep and Nsch pairs may beappropriate for CTC IR, they are not appropriate for all FEC modes. Forexample, in some cases it might be more appropriate to have a finergranularity on the resource allocation. Therefore it may be moreappropriate to assign resources as an independent specification of themodulation and coding rate (MPR) and the resource allocation. Redefiningthe Nep and Nsch based on the H-ARQ mode allows for the maximumflexibility.

In order to allow Chase combining, alternative definitions for thesethree parameters are provided for use only when Chase combining isutilized. Because the message size of the IEEE 802.16 Section 6.3.2.43HARQ-MAP message must remain constant, the alternative definitions forSPID (2 bits), Nep (4 bits), and Nsch (4 bits) must have the same numberof total bits (i.e., 10) as the original definitions.

The two-bit SPID is used by IEEE 802.16 to identify which incrementalredundancy encoding format is being used to transmit the current packet.For Chase H-ARQ, all retransmission are identical to the firsttransmission, therefore, the SPID field is unneeded. When Chase H-ARQ isused, the SPID field is marked as reserved and encoded “00”.

The Nep and Nsch are each 4-bit fields in the H-ARQ signaling defined in802.16RevD/D5. These 4-bit fields define the modulation, the number ofinformation bits and number of sub-channels assigned. For theConvolutional Turbo Code (CTC) mode, the number of information bits isdefined by value of Nep as indexed in table 330 on page 613 of802.16RevD/D5. The number of subchannels assigned is dependent on bothNep and Nsch and is addressed for the downlink in Table 329 on page 609of 802.16RevD/D5. Finally, the modulation is determined by calculatingthe Modulation Product Rate (MPR) as defined on page 608 of802.16RevD/D5 and then making a comparison with a set of thresholdlevels. Alternatively, the modulation, coding rate and number of subchannels assigned may be represented in a 16×16 table of Nep and Nschvalues.

As discussed, Chase combining requires alternate definitions of Nep andNsch. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the 8 bitsused for Nep and Nsch are redefined as two fields: a shortened DIUC/UIUCfield of 3 bits and a companded sub channel allocation of 5 bits. Thesevalues are only used when a generic Chase HARQ allocation is signaled(i.e., H-ARQ mode=1 in the Switch-mode IE). The shortened DIUC field is3-bits, which is 1-bit smaller the DIUC field in the conventional DL_MAP(i.e., when IR is utilized). The shortened DIUC is mapped to the lowereight values in the conventional DIUC. The companded sub channelallocation would identify the number of sub channels based on apre-defined look-up table, as illustrated in Table 3. In this example,the assigned subchannels are defined in a uniform logarithmic manner.

For the values in Table 3 a base-2 logarithmic operation is applied andthen a uniform number of values are quantized between the (linear)assigned subchannel values that are an integer number of powers of 2.This can be seen in that there are the same number (i.e., 3) of assignedsubchannel entries between 128 and 256, 256 and 512, etc. The compandingis not a purely a uniform quantization after a logarithmic operation inorder to better match/multiplex withitn the 32 subchannels in an OFDMAsymbol/baud. However, other companding operations, such as a pureuniform quantization after a logarithm operation, may also be applied.For example, the three values of between 256 and 512 subchannels may beselected as 304, 362, and 431 subchannels, corresponding to 2 to thepower 8.25, 8.5, and 8.75.

TABLE 3 Companded Subchannels when Chase Combining is utilized CompandedSub Channels Assigned Sub Channels 0 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 109 12 10 14 11 16 12 20 13 24 14 28 15 32 16 40 17 48 18 56 19 64 20 8021 96 22 112 23 128 24 160 25 192 26 224 27 256 28 320 29 384 30 448 31512

As is evident, because 5 bits are utilized by the companded subchannel(instead of the usual 9), certain subchannel assignments are skipped inorder to obtain the maximum allowable subchannel assignments (e.g.,512). Additionally, when non-Q HARQ allocations are sent, the DIUCcomprises 4 bits signaling 13 different burst profiles less the 3special pre-defined indications for peak-to-average reduction zones, endof the downlink map or an extended DIUC address space. These latterthree special encodings are unnecessary for H-ARQ encoding, therefore,therefore using a shortened DIUC of 3-bits only reduces the availableburst profiles to 9 from the original 13 values. The 9 burst profilesenabled by the shortened DIUC is sufficient for effective adaptivemodulation and coding operation.

The method for randomizing the data must be modified to accommodate theChase combining. Currently, the PRBS generator is seeded based on thestarting OFDM symbol number and subchannel number. This can result in adifferent randomization pattern for each HARQ attempt making themimpossible to combine. To remedy this problem, it proposed that the PRBSbe seeded with the cell ID as is done for the CTC IR.

With the new fields for Nep and Nsch existing when Chase combining isutilized, sections 6.3.2.3.43.6.1, 6.3.2.3.43.6.2, and 6.3.2.3.43.6.3,have the table entries for Nep and Nsch:

N_(EP) code 4 bits Code of encoder packet bits (see 8.4.9.2.3.5) N_(SCH)code 4 bits Code of allocated subchannels (see 8.4.9.2.3.5) Replacedwith: if (H-ARQ mode = “CTC IR”) { N_(EP) code 4 bits Code of encoderpacket bits (see 8.4.9.2.3.5) N_(SCH) code 4 bits Code of allocatedsubchannels (see 8.4.9.2.3.5) } elsif (H-ARQ mode = Generic) { ShortenedDIUC 3 bits Shortened DIUC Companded SC 5 bits Code of allocatedsubchannels (see 8.4.9.5) }

Thus, all transmitters employing the IEEE 802.16 system protocol willneed to determine an encoding type (as discussed above), and transmitthe Sub-packet Identifier (SPID) field, the encoder packet size (Nep)field, and the number of sub channels (Nsch) field. However, the controlinformation broadcast within these fields will be based on the encodingtype (e.g., Chase combining or Incremental Redundancy) being utilized bythe encoder. More particularly, standard 802.16 SPID, Nep, and Nschfields are utilized when Incremental Redundancy is used with alternativedefinitions for these three parameters being utilized only when Chasecombining is used.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing operation of the receiver of FIG. 5, andin particular, the transmission of control information. The logic flowbegins at step 701 where the default 802.16 SPID (2 bits), Nep (4 bits),and Nsch (4 bits) fields are being utilized by logic circuitry 505 forIR. It should be noted that these fields are utilized as the defaultsettings for receiver 500. At step 703 an IE message is received andlogic unit 505 analyzes an incoming 4-bit H-ARQ mode field from theSwitch-mode IE message 200. At step 705 a determination is made by logiccircuitry 505 as to whether CTC IR coding is utilized. If, at step 705it is determined that standard CTC IR coding is utilized, then the logicflow returns to step 701 where the 10 bits included in any receivedHARQ-MAP IE are used by logic circuitry 505 as 802.16 SPID (2 bits), Nep(4 bits), and Nsch (4 bits). However, if at step 705 logic circuitry 505determines that the Generic Chase coding is utilized, then the logicflow continues to step 707 where the SPID field is unneeded and theShortened DIUC and companded SC are utilized. The logic flow returns tostep 703. Thus, logic circuitry determines an encoding type and utilizesthe plurality of fields in the IE for a first information type when afirst type of encoding is utilized and utilizes the plurality of fieldsin the IE for a second information type when a second encoding type isutilized Particularly, a first channel allocation table to be utilizedwhen IR is being used, and a second channel allocation table to beutilized when Generic Chase combining is used. Additionally, whenGeneric Chase combining is used, the shortened DIUC is mapped to thelower eight values in the conventional DIUC. Thus, the plurality offields in the switch-mode IE are utilized for first information when afirst type of encoding is utilized and utilizing the plurality of fieldsfor second information when a second encoding type is utilized.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing operation of the transmitter of FIG. 3.The logic flow begins at step 801 where data is received by encoder 302.The data received by encoder 302 is to be transmitter to a receiver. Atstep 803 logic unit 305 determines an encoding type being utilized byencoder 302. This step entails determining the encoding type for thedata to be transmitted to the receiver, and specifically comprises thestep of determining if generic Chase combining or Incremental Redundancyis being utilized.

At step 805 logic unit 305 then instructs packet/IE generator 303 toconstruct IEs with a Sub-packet Identifier (SPID) field, an encoderpacket size (Nep) field, and a number of sub channels (Nsch) field,wherein the information transmitted within these fields is based on theencoding type. In particular, 802.16 SPID, Nep, and Nsch fields areutilized when CTC Incremental Redundancy is used, while a “00” is usedfor the SPID field and a shortened DIUC/UIUC field of 3 bits and acompanded sub channel allocation of 5 bits is used when Chase combiningis being utilized.

Finally, at step 807 the IE is transmitted, via transmitter 304. Data isalso transmitted to the receiver, where the data is appropriatelyencoded by encoder 302. As is evident, the type of information in theSub-packet Identifier (SPID) field, the encoder packet size (Nep) field,and the number of sub channels (Nsch) field based on the encoding type.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to a particular embodiment, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.For example, additional H-ARQ modes could be added to the specificationto cover different types of error correcting coding schemes. Although,most foreseeable error correcting coding schemes can utilize the GenericChase mode, it is possible to define new incremental redundancy modescan be incorporated into the H-ARQ protocol using the switch-mode IEThese new incremental redundancy modes could use alternate methods forencoding the number of assigned subchannels, modulation and coding rate.It is intended that such changes come within the scope of the followingclaims.

1. In a transmitter employing the IEEE 802.16 system protocol, a methodfor transmitting control information, the method comprising the stepsof: determining an encoding type; transmitting control informationwithin a Sub-packet Identifier (SPID) field, an encoder packet size(Nep) field, and a number of sub channels (Nsch) field, wherein theinformation transmitted within these fields is based on the encodingtype; receiving data to be transmitted to a receiver; wherein the stepof determining the encoding type comprises the step of determining theencoding type for the data to be transmitted to the receiver; andwherein the step of transmitting information comprises the step oftransmitting a quantized set of information block size and resourceallocation pairs within the Nep, and Nsch fields when Chase combining isbeing utilized.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determiningthe encoding type comprises the step of determining if generic Chasecombining or Incremental Redundancy is being utilized.
 3. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the step of transmitting information comprises the stepof transmitting 802.16 SPID, Nep, and Nsch fields when CTC IncrementalRedundancy is used.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step oftransmitting information comprises the step of transmitting 802.16 SPID,Nep, and Nsch fields when CTC Incremental Redundancy is used, whereinSPID represents a Sub-packet Identifier, Nep represents an encoderpacket size, and Nsch represents a number of sub channels.
 5. The methodof claim 1 wherein the step of transmitting information comprises thestep of transmitting a “00” for the SPID field when Chase combining isutilized.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of transmittinginformation comprises the step of transmitting a shortened DIUC/UJUCfield of 3 bits and a companded sub channel allocation of 5 bits whenChase combining is being utilized.
 7. In a receiver employing the IEEE802.16 system protocol, a method comprising the steps of: determining anencoding type; receiving a message comprising a plurality of fields;utilizing the plurality of fields for first information when a firsttype of encoding is specified and utilizing the plurality of fields forsecond information when a second encoding type is specified; wherein thestep of receiving the message comprises the step of receiving a messagecomprising a Sub-packet Identifier (SPID) field, an encoder packet size(Nep) field, and a number of sub channels (Nsch) field; and wherein thestep of utilizing the plurality of fields comprises the step ofutilizing a quantized set of information block size and resourceallocation pairs within the Nep, and Nsch fields when Chase combining isbeing specified.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step ofdetermining the encoding type comprises the step of determining ifgeneric Chase combining or Incremental Redundancy is being specified. 9.The method of claim 7 wherein the step of utilizing the plurality offields comprises the step of utilizing the plurality of fields asstandard 802.16 SPID, Nep, and Nsch fields when Incremental Redundancyis specified.
 10. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of utilizingthe plurality of fields comprises the step of utilizing the plurality offields as standard 802.16 SPID, Nep, and Nsch fields when IncrementalRedundancy is used, wherein SPID represents a Sub-packet Identifier, Neprepresents an encoder packet size, and Nsch represents a number of subchannels.
 11. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of receiving themessage comprises the step of receiving a “00” for the SPID field whenChase combining is being utilized.
 12. The method of claim 7 wherein thestep of utilizing the plurality of fields comprises the step of using ashortened DIUC/UJUC field of 3 bits and a companded sub channelallocation of 5 bits when Chase combining is being utilized.
 13. Anapparatus comprising: logic circuitry determining an encoding type; anda transmitter transmitting information within a Sub-packet Identifier(SPID) field, an encoder packet size (Nep) field, and a number of subchannels (Nsch) field, wherein a type of information transmitted withinthe fields is based on the encoding type.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13wherein the encoding type comprises Chase combining or IncrementalRedundancy.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein 802.16 SPID, Nep, andNsch fields are transmitted by the transmitter when IncrementalRedundancy is specified.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein SPIDrepresents a Sub-packet Identifier, Nep represents an encoder packetsize, and Nsch represents a number of sub channels.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 14 wherein a quantized set of information block size and resourceallocation pairs are transmitted within the Nep, and Nsch fields whenChase combining is being utilized.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14 whereina “00” is transmitted for the SPID field when Chase combining is beingspecified.
 19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein a shortened DIUC/UJUCfield of 3 bits and a companded sub channel allocation of 5 bits istransmitted when Chase combining is specified.
 20. An apparatuscomprising: a receiver receiving an over-the-air message comprising aplurality of fields; and logic circuitry determining an encoding typeand utilizing the plurality of fields for first information when a firsttype of encoding is specified and utilizing the plurality of fields forsecond information when a second encoding type is specified.
 21. Theapparatus of claim 20 wherein the encoding type comprises Chasecombining or Incremental Redundancy.
 22. The apparatus of claim 20wherein the plurality of fields comprises a Sub-packet Identifier (SPID)field, an encoder packet size (Nep) field, and a number of sub channels(Nsch) field.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the plurality offields are utilized as standard 802.16 SPID, Nep, and Nsch fields whenIncremental Redundancy is specified.
 24. The method of claim 23 whereinSPID represents a Sub-packet Identifier, Nep represents an encoderpacket size, and Nsch represents a number of sub channels.
 25. Themethod of claim 22 wherein a quantized set of information block size andresource allocation pairs are utilized by the decoder within the Nep andNsch fields when Chase combining is being specified.
 26. The method ofclaim 22 wherein a “00” is utilized for the SPID field when Chasecombining is being specified.
 27. The method of claim 22 wherein ashortened DIUC/UJUC field of 3 bits and a companded sub channelallocation of 5 bits is utilized within the Nep and Nsch fields whenChase combining is being specified.